Tag: CM Punk

CM Punk – WWE Backstage FS1 Role Reportedly A “Done Deal”

It looks like CM Punk will be affiliated with WWE once again.

Punk signing with FOX for the WWE Backstage studio show on FS1 is said to be a “done deal,” according to @fightoracle, who has broken several wrestling TV-related stories in the past.

As we’ve noted, Punk recently tried out for the weekly WWE Backstage studio show after his agent reached out to FOX. Punk’s tryout reportedly went well.

The show premieres at 11pm ET on Tuesday, November 5 with Renee Young and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T as the hosts. It’s been reported that FOX has been testing various formats for the show, and that other personalities will be used with Renee and Booker. Punk could be one of those personalities, but it seems like he would be used better in a prominent role.

It was noted in the new report from @fightoracle that Punk has signed on to work as a commentator on the show.

Punk would be working for FOX and not WWE as this is a show that FOX is running. WWE will obviously have some input and direction, but this is a FOX program. WWE would likely have to sign off on any personalities used. Punk appearing on a WWE-affiliated show each week will create obvious speculation on a WWE ring return, and it’s been noted that fans will expect that return once they see him on the show.

Triple H recently appeared on the Sports Illustrated Podcast and was asked about Punk possibly working on the WWE Backstage show, and if Punk appearing on the show would be something he’d sign off on, and be happy to see.

“Look, I’ve read about that as well,” Triple H said of the Punk – FS1 reports. “You know, to be clear, FOX is doing this show, and it’s their show, and it’s something they’re doing to talk about the WWE Universe and everything going on in it. They’ve had a long list of people they’ve been interviewing and everything, but as far as for us, one of the things I think this company has shown over and over again, is never say never.

“If the opportunity is right for everybody and it’s right for our fans, then we are willing to put the past behind us and move forward. So, I would say, never say never, but that’s also probably a long way from coming to. I don’t know. That’s also a little bit outside of my purview at the moment, but like I said, never say never.”

That same day, Punk appeared on Collider Live and confirmed the tryout reports.

“Yeah I did it,” Punk said. “I’m very much in a position where, ‘Well come talk to me.’

“I’m open to anything,” Punk continued, adding that this does not necessarily include wrestling. “If they come to me with, ‘Hey we want you to wrestle,’ I’ll say, ‘um, I’m not interested’.”

Punk also confirmed that he and his agents are dealing with FOX, not WWE.

“My agents just called me and FOX is throwing everything at this because they spent a lot of money on this and they’re all in to make it work. Originally I thought it was a WWE thing, so I was just like, ‘meh, no.’ But then they said, ‘this is FOX.'”

He continued, “I’m not dealing with anybody in WWE. They explained to me what it was and I love Renee Young. Renee Young is a great person… she’s Canadian, so obviously she’s super over-the-top nice and friendly. I prefaced it with, ‘Guys, I’m not going to come in and dump all over stuff just to dump on it. That’s old Phil. But if it’s bad, I’m not going to be able to pretend it’s anything but bad.’

“So they want to present it like it’s a real sport and just have a show that recaps stuff, just like they do with the NFL, just like the NHL Network would do with hockey games and stuff like that. That’s where we are with that.”

Punk also revealed that no one from WWE has contacted him since the FS1 tryout. He joked, “No, I’m the boogeyman!”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

CM Punk Films Test Material For WWE Show Earlier This Week, More Names FOX Brought In To Try Out

The rumblings on CM Punk and WWE continue.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter has reported how WWE has an impression that Punk wants to be back with the company, but right now it’s nothing they are counting on to happen. This report comes after it was revealed in the summer how Punk’s representative went to FOX to try and push Punk as a co-host of the new “WWE Backstage” studio show on FS1. WWE was not interested in Punk for that role, and it was officially announced this week that the show will be hosted by Renee Young and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T.

In an update, multiple WWE sources have confirmed to PWInsider that Punk was at FOX Studios earlier this week in Los Angeles to discuss a potential on-air role for the WWE Backstage show on FS1, which premieres on Tuesday, November 5 at 11pm ET.

There’s no word yet on what all went down at the meeting, but Punk did do some on-camera testing. Renee was also present for the meeting.

It has not been confirmed that Punk has signed a deal to work on the show. We’ve noted how FOX brought in several WWE and non-WWE personalities to Los Angeles this summer to try out for the show. Taz and WWE Hall of Famer Sean Waltman were also brought in several times over the past few months to try out, according to PWInsider, and it was also reported that Paige and Rey Mysterio were considered. There’s also no word yet on which personalities will be used along with Renee and Booker.

FOX has experimented with different versions of the show and how it will be presented, ranging from 3-5 personalities hosting a panel discussion. A final decision on the format had not been agreed on as of earlier this week.

As noted, FOX will be taping the series each week, not WWE. Punk would technically be working for FOX and not WWE, if he signs on to be a part of the show.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

CM Punk’s Starrcast III Interview To Air Live On Traditional PPV

CM Punk’s sit-down interview and discussion at Starrcast III on Saturday will air live on some traditional pay-per-view outlets, and Fite.TV.

Fite is offering a Starrcast III weekend pass for $39.99. That pass includes over 55 shows, including the Punk special, with over 65 hours of content and unlimited replays.

DirecTV currently has the Punk special listed for $14.95. It has a TV-14 rating and begins at 1pm ET.

It’s interesting to note that promotional material for the Punk special has a “Pipebomb” theme to go along with Punk’s infamous “Pipebomb Promo” from WWE RAW in 2011. Below is the synopsis that DirecTV has listed for the “CM Punk Live: Best In The World” special:

“Experience the return of the Pipe Bomb as pro wrestling’s controversial superstar reveals all in an uncensored interview, where anything can happen during the sold-out special event in Chicago.”

Punk’s interview is scheduled to run from 12pm until 1:30pm local time on Saturday, August 31 from the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg in Chicago. It will take place on the Pro Wrestling Tees Main Stage. The pay-per-view begins at 1pm ET, and runs for 90 minutes.

Stay tuned this weekend as we will have coverage and highlights from the Punk event.

Below are two promos for Punk’s sit-down interview and discussion at Starrcast III:

https://twitter.com/HeelByNatureYT/status/1161251391475724289

https://twitter.com/StarrcastEvents/status/1151923037400436737

Source: Wrestling Inc.

CM Punk Agent Reportedly Reaches Out To Fox About WWE FS1 Hosting Gig

An agency representing both CM Punk and WWE recently reached out to Fox officials about Punk possibly doing work with WWE once again.

Creative Artists Agency (CAA), which represents WWE and Punk, recently had an agent reach out to Fox higher-ups about having Punk serve as one of the co-hosts of the upcoming WWE in-studio talk show on FS1, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Punk would be working for Fox, not WWE, if a deal was to be reached. The Observer speculated that WWE would hate the idea. Word is that there have been zero negotiations regarding Punk possibly taking the gig. It was also noted by the Observer that this is only something Punk’s agent brought up, and not anything that Punk clearly wanted. Sources in WWE reportedly indicate that there’s nothing to the speculation.

The WWE FS1 in-studio show is set to air on Tuesday nights later this year. It’s been reported that Renee Young will be the main host, but plans may have changed since that was first reported earlier in the summer.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

CM Punk Says He Received An Offer From All Elite Wrestling Via Text Message

A large portion of the wrestling community is hoping to see CM Punk in AEW, and now the former WWE star has confirmed he recently received an offer from the company (via text message).

Punk was brutally honest, so it would seem, about his relationship with All Elite Wrestling while speaking with ESPN’s Marc Raimondi to promote an upcoming appearance at Starrcast.

When asked if he had a relationship with AEW, Punk firmly stated no.

“I know they like to talk about me a lot. If I text Matt Jackson, “Hey, have a great show tonight,” which I did when they had their big show in Vegas, that somehow turns into Tony Khan telling people he has a great relationship with me. I’ve said in the past I’ve talked to them, but nothing ever came of anything,” he added.

Punk also addressed fans having expectations to see him at All Out because of his scheduled appearance at Starrcast:

“I think if there’s an expectation, it’s purely been built by them. My silence to some fans means something. They’re trying to read the tea leaves, but there’s nothing to read. I even feel like talking about it may feel like I’m putting some sort of negative slant on it, but I’m really not. The fact is I know they’ve teased me ad nauseam, and if anybody is gonna get mad it’s at me because I don’t show up. Well then, I don’t know what to tell you. That’s one of those things that’s none of my business.”

“They do videos where they talk about me. They’re constantly talking about me in the media. And again, maybe this sounds like I’m badgering them, but I’m not. It’s just something that happens. I’m a popular guy to talk about. But I’m not doing interviews talking about them. If people ask me about it, I say no, I won’t be there.”

Punk was then asked straight up if anything between he and AEW was imminent and this is what he said:

Punk: The last thing I got — I got a text from Cody [Rhodes]. And again, I almost don’t even know how to reply to them sometimes, because if I reply, they do interviews and are like, “Oh yeah, I just talked to Punk.” I’m kind of damned if I do, damned if I don’t. I always think if somebody wants to do business with me, they can come talk to me. Texting offers isn’t really a way to do good business, at least.

ESPN: Was it an offer via text?

Punk: It was texted through three people and an offer came in through text. This is like a month ago, maybe.

ESPN: An offer for All Out?

Punk: I think it was just a general offer. I never could have done the last one in Vegas [Double or Nothing], because I was in California for CFFC.

Punk talked about his UFC future as well in the interview and how he wouldn’t be surprised to get cut.

“I’m not that dude that sat down on a stage in Vegas eight years ago,” he added. “I’m not the dude that left WWE. I’m not that guy. That was five-years-ago Phil. I’m a different dude now. People still have that connotation, like, “Oh, he hates WWE.” And it’s just like, no, I’ve let all that go, and I’ve let all that go so long ago. But there are people that hold on to that. They still think or want me to be who I was. I’m not who I was yesterday. This is my journey, this is my odyssey.”

Punk also said he doesn’t expect to be involved in wrestling by 2020 — but anything is possible.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

CM Punk Will Appear At Starrcast III

Starrcast III just made a big announcement for All Out weekend in Chicago — CM Punk will be making an appearance at the convention.

The AEW-connected convention dropped the news on Thursday and fans will surely continue speculating about the possibility of Punk making an appearance at All Out now.

Starrcast did not specify what Punk will be doing at the convention in the announcement.

Chris Jericho talked about the possibility of CM Punk joining All Elite Wrestling in a recent interview with Collider Live. “Do we need him? No. Would it be a huge pop to get him? Yes,” Jericho explained during the conversation.

Watch the Starrcast III announcement below.

https://twitter.com/StarrcastEvents/status/1151923037400436737

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

The Young Bucks Say They’ve Had A Lot Of Talks With CM Punk, Provide Update On PAC’s Status With AEW

AEW’s All Out, has been speculated as the night that former muti-time WWE Champion CM Punk will return to professional wrestling and debut with AEW. All Out takes place at the Sears Centre Arena in Chicago, the city where Punk is from.

“We’ll be honest, of course we would love [Punk] to come to our company,” Nick Jackson told Chris Van Vliet. “At this time, I just don’t think he wants to. Matt talks to him all the time about it but the timing is not right, I guess.”

“When he wants to come back to wrestling, it’ll be his decision,” Matt explained. “Professional wrestling is the most demanding thing in the world. You can’t just find yourself back in it one day and be like, ‘Okay, I guess I’m doing this again.’ You really have to want to do it and that’s up to him.”

With or without Punk in AEW, the company has been a hot topic of conversation in the pro wrestling industry. The Bucks took some time to note the improvements that AEW has brought to performers and the overall competitive nature of the sport.

“We’ve changed the whole pay scale for everyone in wrestling, which is awesome,” Nick said. “A lot of our friends are getting paid and they’re finally making money for the first time in their careers. It feels good, it feels awesome.”

“The pressure has been put on everybody in the professional wrestling business,” Matt added. “… Everybody is trying harder now. It’s very competitive again. We need competition again; the industry needs it to survive.”

At Double Or Nothing this past May, “Hangman” Adam Page and PAC were supposed to have a one-on-one bout that was ultimately cancelled due to creative differences. The Bucks mentioned that they still have every intention of bringing on PAC as a part of their future AEW productions.

“He’s coming. I mean, eventually,” Matt stated.

“It’s a work in progress. It’s obvious that Matt and I are big fans of his,” Nick said. “We met him like 10 years ago over in Japan, so we’ll always have ties with him and we wanna work things out with him. I think it’s just a matter of trying to fit his schedule with ours and hopefully, things will work out.”

“It’s a priority for us and I think we’re gonna make this thing work,” Matt added.

You can watch the full interview in the video below.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Ashley Massaro Reportedly Passed Away In Apparent Suicide By Hanging, CM Punk Offers Advise On Depression & Suicide

Former WWE Superstar Ashley Massaro was found hanging in an apparent suicide, according to multiple sources who have spoke with TMZ Sports.

As we’ve noted, the 2005 Divas Search winner passed away last Thursday at the age of 39. She was found unconscious at her home in Smithtown, NY shortly after 5am ET after she failed to show up for work at a local radio station. She was taken to a local hospital by first responders and later pronounced dead. She would have turned 40 on May 26 and leaves behind one daughter. Local authorities have classified Massaro’s death as non-criminal and foul play was not suspected.

TMZ also noted that Massaro is being laid to rest in Suffolk County, NY.

The New York Post reports that Massaro’s lawyer told them that her brain may be donated to Dr. Bennet Omalu, who is a professor at the University of California at Davis known as “The Concussion Doctor.” Omalu researches CTE, a condition associated with multiple head injuries and concussions, and has previously released findings related to CTE in pro football players.

CTE can only be confirmed after death. Lawyer Konstantine Kryos, who has represented Massaro and other former WWE Superstars in lawsuits against the company, told The Post that he’s asked Massaro’s mother and daughter about donating her brain.

“They were a little upset about it,” Kryos said, adding that there’s a little time to make the decision. He claimed, “It was Ashley’s wishes to donate her brain.”

CM Punk called into the WMGM radio show in Atlantic City, NJ on Friday and said he heard that Massaro had taken her life. This was before the manner of death has been publicly disclosed, but there was already speculation due to social media comments from several people close to Massaro, including Michelle McCool. Punk begged listeners to get help if they are struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts, as Massaro had.

“Tremendously sad way to go,” Punk said. He continued, “thoughts obviously go out to her family, especially her daughter. It’s May. It’s Mental Health Month … if you’re depressed and things aren’t going your way, there’s no reason to feel alone. Just reach out to somebody. Text a friend. Call somebody. There’s hotlines. There’s ways you can get help.”

As noted, WWE honored Massaro with a tribute graphic before Sunday’s WWE Money In the Bank pay-per-view hit the air. They also issued a statement on her passing last week, saying, “We are saddened to learn of the tragic death of former WWE Superstar Ashley Massaro. She performed in WWE from 2005-2008 and was beloved by her fellow Superstars and fans around the world. WWE offers its condolences to Ashley’s family and friends.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Possible Reason Why CM Punk Did Run In At Indie Wrestling Event

MKE founder Silas Young appeared on Busted Open Radio today. During the interview, Young discussed MKE’s event last Friday at the Knights of Columbus in West Allis, Wisconsin, which featured a masked man doing a run in to help Ace Steele defeat Daryck St Holmes.

Wrestling Inc. confirmed that it was in fact CM Punk who did the run in at the show. Punk and Dave Prazak, who was involved with the show, were both trained by Steele and Prazak managed Punk early in his career.

Young discussed Punk’s appearance during the interview. While he wouldn’t 100% state that it was Punk, he discussed why Punk might have made the appearance. He noted that Punk wrestled in the building, which is being torn down early next month, during the start of his career.

“That’s the building where [Punk] kinda got his start at,” Young said. “Shortly before that match happened, my wife came up to me because she was one of the managers in the match. She was like, ‘I heard Punk’s going to do a run in.

“It made sense with the match being with Ace Steele and having Dave Prazak involved, those guys are longtime friends and they broke in the business [together]. Punk had maybe his first match in that building. That building has had wrestling for years, a lot of guys got their start there. Unfortunately it’s going to be torn down early next month so we were the last event there. I think it’s just one of those things where he wanted to pay a little respect or a little homage to it.”

As we exclusively reported on Sunday, Punk was never backstage at the show. He had waited in his car outside of the venue before doing the run in and then left immediately afterwards.

“[Punk] was never at the building beforehand, he wasn’t at the building after,” Young said. “He came, did the run-in in a mask and then left in a mask. I can’t even 100% say it was CM Punk, but from what I was told [it was], and I don’t know why anyone would lie to me.

“That’s what I was told and I’d like to believe it, if for nothing more than the publicity it got MKE Wrestling.”

You can listen to the interview with Young below.

https://twitter.com/BustedOpenRadio/status/1120383395543101442

Sources: Wrestling Inc. and Busted Open Radio

CM Punk Crashes Indie Show Under A Mask

Ring of Honor star and Founder of MKE Wrestling Silas Young commented about the MKE Wrestling event The Last Knight in West Allis, Wisconsin on Friday night, where a masked individual did a run-in during the show.

Young wrote, “Last night we held @MKE_Wrestling at the Knights of Columbus building in West Allis the place was packed with 350 people. This place has had 25+ years of wrestling and is the place a lot of guys started. Guys like @ColtCabana as well as a Punk who showed up in a mask last night.”

It’s being speculated that the masked man was CM Punk himself, who hit a GTS on one of the wrestlers in the ring. Earlier in the day, Punk was also seen wearing the same hoodie, which you can see in the photo below.

Wrestling Inc. has confirmed that it was in fact CM Punk under a mask who appeared at MKE Wrestling’s “The Last Knight” event this past Friday night.

A masked man appeared at the end of the show to help Ace Steele defeat Daryck St Holmes. The masked man, sporting a hoodie that Punk had worn earlier in the day at a BJJ tournament, entered the ring while the referee was down and hit Daryck St Holmes with Punk’s GTS finisher. The masked man then darted out the door and was not seen again.

The last time CM Punk was in a wrestling ring was during the Royal Rumble match at the 2014 Royal Rumble.

Below is Young’s tweet and MKE Wrestling’s clip of the match.

https://twitter.com/lastrealmanROH/status/1119619372128059393

https://twitter.com/MKE_Wrestling/status/1119611860234457088

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwfjnM6FSBG/?utm_source=ig_embed

You can see the side by side comparisons of the masked man, and CM Punk, earlier in the day in the embedded tweet below:

https://twitter.com/JonAlba/status/1119802113880666112

Source: Wrestling Inc.